Mayor Nick Sacco and the Township of North Bergen Board of Commissioners are excited to announce they will officially name the main branch of the North Bergen Free Public Library, located at 8411 Bergenline Avenue, in honor of Executive Director Sai Rao, recognizing her decades of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to expanding opportunities for residents through education, technology, and community programming.
A longtime North Bergen resident, Rao has served the community for years as the first female Executive Director of the Township’s Free Public Library. Under her leadership, the library has expanded its role far beyond traditional services, becoming a vital community resource offering career assistance, citizenship training, adult education, technology access, youth programming, health initiatives, and more.
“Renaming the library in Sai Rao’s honor is a fitting tribute to someone who has devoted so much of her life to serving the people of North Bergen and beyond,” said Mayor Sacco. “Sai’s vision, compassion, and tireless dedication have transformed our library into a cornerstone of the community and a place where residents of all ages can learn, grow, and succeed. Her impact on this township will be felt for generations.”
Rao was previously recognized as Hudson County’s Woman of the Year for 2020 and received the prestigious New York Times Librarian of the Year Award. Throughout her career, she has secured numerous grants to enhance services and resources for residents while helping modernize and strengthen the library system.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition,” said Rao. “The library has always been about serving the people of North Bergen and ensuring every resident has access to opportunities, resources, and lifelong learning. I am grateful to Mayor Sacco, the Board of Commissioners, Library Board of Trustees, our incredible library staff, and the entire community for their support throughout the years.”
In addition to her work with the library, Rao serves as a member of the North Bergen Board of Education and has held leadership roles throughout the region, including president of the Hudson County Library Directors Association. She also serves on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Library Association, on committees for the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, participates in community relations efforts at Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center, and serves as the Regional Service Coordinator for Sri Sathya Sai International Organization-Mid Atlantic Region.
The Bergenline Avenue branch, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations and improvements, is expected to reopen later this year as a modernized community resource for residents of all ages. Additional details regarding the official naming ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.